Man found engulfed in flames near car in Costa Mesa

Police arrived at a parking lot in the 2200 block of Newport Boulevard in Costa Mesa on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012 after citizens reported seeing a man on fire.

November 5, 2012 12:00:00 AM PST

COSTA MESA, Calif. --

Police are investigating the death of a man found ablaze next to a vehicle in a parking lot in Costa Mesa.

Costa Mesa police said citizens spotted the man engulfed in flames at 4:50 p.m. Sunday and used their own shirts to try and assist the man. A citizen also arrived with a fire extinguisher.

The victim identified as 49-year-old Randy Hansen of Fallbrook, Calif. was transported to Western Medical Center in extremely critical condition and succumbed to his injuries Monday.

Costa Mesa firefighters called to extinguish the blaze located in the 2200 block of Newport Boulevard discovered a red plastic gas container and a butane type lighter.

Police said they did not know whether the incident was accident or a possible arson at this time. The white, full-size pick-up truck was found to be registered to Hansen.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is urged to contact Sgt. Ed Everett with the Costa Mesa Police Department's Investigations Bureau at (714) 754-5395 or Detective David Casarez at (714) 754-5157.